The Garrison has three companies; the Border Company (Grensekompaniet), the Border Company/Training (Grensekompani/U) and the Garrison Company (Garnisonskompaniet).

The Border Company's tasks in peace-time are to make sure that the Border Agreement between Russia and Norway is observed. They shall report all activity near the border, and execute police surveillance along the border in co-operation with the local police auhorities. The Company has six Border Stations along the Russian-Norwegian border, and each of them has several Observation Posts. The soldiers have some restricted police authority when enforcing their tasks at the border.

The Border Company/Training educate all soldiers (conscripts) who shall serve at the Border Company. They must undergo six months of intense training, and the ranger training require much of this time. There is also a 40 Hour Course in executing police authority along the border. The Border Company/Training also educates soldiers for the Garrison Company.

The Garrison Company takes care of the administrative functions at the South Varanger Garrison, which are necessary to train the soldiers and execute the border control . Most of the soldiers doing their military service at the Garrison Company have been transferred from the Border Company/Trainign after approx. 1 month of basic training. But some posititions need soldiers with a special education, like the MPs with six months of training at the Army Military Police School.

The emblem:
The wolf's head in gold with a black background is the emblem of the South Varanger Garrison. The Garrison is subordinate to the Finmark Regiment, who's emblem is similar but with a red background. The current emblem (and patch) has been used since 1983. It's worn on left arm/shoulder.